Pressure sensitive end sheet for casing books

ABSTRACT

An uncased book is provided with identical front and back end leaves each coated on most, but preferably not all, of its outward facing surface with pressure sensitive adhesive initially protected with release paper. The uncased book is positioned relative to the case, and the spine of the uncased book is preferably attached to the spine binding of the case. The release paper is stripped from the pressure sensitive adhesive, causing each end leaf to adhere to the inside of the facing cover of the case. In a preferred embodiment, the release paper is provided with a tab which extends back beyond the inside edge of the book so that it can be gripped and the release paper stripped while the cover is closed. The book itself may be fabricated in various ways and the end leaves may be attached to the uncased book in various ways. The manner of application of the pressure sensitive adhesive to the end leaves is also subjected to variation.

United States Patent [1 1 Abildgaard et a1. 2

11 3,749,422 July 31, 1973 PRESSURE SENSITIVE END SHEET FOR CASING BOOKS[75] Inventors: William H. Ahildgaard; Charles T.

Groswith, III, Los Altos Hills, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Velco-Biud, Inc., Sunnyvale, Calif.

[22] Filed: Sept. 12, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 179,967

Related [1.8. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.146,648, May 25, 1971, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No.79,086, Sept. 8, 1970.

[52] 11.5. CI. 281/21, 281/29 [51] Int. Cl B4241 3/00 [58] Field ofSearch 281/21, 29, 35-37; 1 1/3 [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 2,292,272 8/1942 Hirshfield 40/125 A X 2,382,736 8/1945 Mason40/125 A X 2,608,503 8/1952 Meyer 40/125 A X 2,699,103 1/1955Stasikewich 40/125 A X 3,294,611 12/1966 Vomela 40/125 A X 3,367,6802/1968 Greenspan 281/37 3,402,495 9/1968 Fishhack 40/125 A X FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 671,229 2/1939 Germany 281/21 1,086,671 8/1960Germany 281/29 Primary Examiner-Lawrence Charles Attorney-Julian Caplan[57] ABSTRACT An uncased book is provided with identical front and backend leaves each coated on most, but preferably not all, of its outwardfacing surface with pressure sensitive adhesive initially protected withrelease paper. The uncased book is positioned relative to the case, andthe spine of the uncased book is preferably attached to the spinebinding of the case. The release paper is stripped from the pressuresensitive adhesive, causing each end leaf to adhere to the inside of thefacing cover of the case. In a preferred embodiment, the release paperis provided with a tab which extends back beyond the inside edge of thebook so that it can be gripped and the release paper stripped while thecover is closed. The book itself may be fabricated in various ways andthe end leaves may be attached to the uncased book in various ways. Themanner of application of the pressure sensitive adhesive tothe endleaves is also subjected to variation.

11 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures PMIENTEH 3.749.422

snmanra F G 8 I INVENTOR WILLIAM H ABILDGAARD CHARLES T. GROSWITH, U1

/ ATTORNEY PAIENIH JUI, 3 I ma F I (5. 8A{

SHEEI 3 OF 4 FIGS INVENTORS WILLIAM H. ABILDGAARD CHARLES T. GROSWITH,U1

BY ATTO R N EY PRESSURE SENSITIVE END SHEET FOR CASING BOOKS Thisinvention is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 146,648,filed May 25, l97l, which is in turn a continuation-in-part of Ser. No.79,086, filed Sept. 8, 1970.

This invention relates to a new and improved pressure sensitive coatedend leaf construction for uncased books wherein release paper initiallyprotects the adhesive and wherein the release paper is fabricated sothat it can be stripped off conveniently.

One of particular features of the invention is the fact that pressuresensitive adhesive is applied to each end leaf of the book. Inaccordance with conventional manufacturing practices, the pressuresensitive adhesive is first applied to release paper which haspreviously been coated so that when the adhesive is brought into contactwith the end leaf, the adhesive sticks to the end leaf and does notstick well to the release paper. In other manufacturing practices, theadhesive may first be applied to the end leaf and release paperlaminated thereto to protect the adhesive. When the release paper isstripped off, the pressure sensitive adhesive remains with the end leafand is exposed. Features of the invention are the provision of variousalternate constructions of the release paper so that it may be strippedor peeled off the end leaves in a convenient and efficient manner. Afurther feature of the invention is that, after the spine edge of theuncased book has been caused to adhere to the spine of the case by anyof various means, the end leaves are caused to adhere to the insides ofthe covers of the case by pressure sensitive adhesive.

Another feature of the. invention is the fact that the release paper maybe stripped with the uncased book attached to the spine of the case andthe release paper stripped from the end leaves while the book is closed.

Another feature of the invention is the fact that likelihood of improperlocation of the end leaves relative to the case is for practicalpurposes eliminated.

It is accordingly, a principal advantage of the present invention thatthe attachment of the end leaves to the case is accomplished rapidly andconveniently.

Use of pressure sensitive'adhesives is made feasible by the presentinvention and has numerous advantages. Pressure sensitive adhesiverequires no curing, drying or hardening, as do animal. and solvent gluesused in binding. Presses are not required, a light rubbing effects totaladhesion. There is no odor or mess and no cleanup is required.

Still another feature of the invention is that the end leaves may beused with uncased books of a variety of constructions. Some of theseconstructions are conventional, others are in accordance with pendingapplications of applicants. Among the conventional constructions arestapled and sewn uncased books. Further, the end leaves may be used withpaperback books so that hard covers may be applied thereto.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon readingthe following specification and referring to the accompanying drawingsin which similar characters of reference represent corresponding partsin each of the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view, partly broken away, of an end leaf in accordancewith the present invention.

' FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken substantiallyalong the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a book in accordance with the presentinvention preparatory to an application of the end leaves to the frontcover of the case, the view being partially broken away to revealconstruction of the end leaf.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional view through a portion of the book ofFIG. 3 after the release paper has been removed and the end leaves haveadhered to the insides of the covers.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, end elevational view of a modified end leaf.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of a still further modified end leaf.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of another modified formshowing an end leaf stapled to an uncased book.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are modifications of FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is an end elevation showing end leaves made in accordance withthis invention applied to a paper bound book.

FIG. 8A is an exploded, somewhat schematic, end view of a modificationof FIG. 8.

FIG. 8B is a perspective view, partially broken away, showing a book inaccordance with FIG. 8A preliminary to being attached to a casing usingpressure sensitive end leaves.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8A showing the invention applied to asewn book.

FIGS. 10 14 are, respectively, perspective views, partially broken away,of still further modified end leaves.

One of the features. of the present invention is the fact that theuncased book may be bound in various ways. The book shown in FIGS. 3 and4 is prepared in accordance with U. S. Pat. application Ser. No. 799,045filed Feb. 13, 1969, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,596,929 issued Sept. 8, 1971,and is further illustrated in said patent application Serial No. 146,648filed May 25, I971. Elsewhere in this application, there are illustratedsomewhat schematically uncased books constructed by other means such asstapling, gluing, sewing, etc.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, uncased book 41 is formed of a plurality ofsheets 21 formed with apertures 22 adjacent the spine margins thereof.The uncased book is held together by means of a firstplastic strip 26having integral projecting thermoplastic studs 27 spaced to fit throughthe holes 22 and a second plastic strip 29 formed with similarly spacedholes31 preferably having external counterbores 32in which rivet heads33 are formed on the severed ends of studs 27 by passing a hot knifethrough said studs spaced beyond said second strip and then moving thehot knife toward the second strip to form rivet-like heads 33 on saidstuds. Apparatus and method for thus fabricating a book are claimed inco-pending applications of the present applicants. End leaves 23 areprovided which fit on the front and back of the stack of sheets 21, thespine marginal edges of the end leaves 23 being formed with apertures 22and receiving the same studs 27 which secure the sheets 21 to the strips26, 29.

One of the features of the present application is the use of pressuresensitive adhesive 36 on at least a portion of each end leaf 23.Initially, such adhesive 36 is protected from contact with other objectsby release paper 37. Release paper 37, as conventionally manufactured,is ordinary Kraft paper which is coated with polyethylene on both sidesso that the paper does not absorb solvents or moisture and thepolyethylene coating is stable. At least the side of the release paperto which the adhesive is applied is coated with a silicone material ffacilitate stripping.

Adhesive 36 is usually an acrylic, cross-linked acrylic, nitrile rubberor other polymer which is initially dissolved in a solvent ascommercially available. A coating between 4 and 6 mils thick is appliedto the silicone coated surface of the release paper 37 and then thesolvent is driven off by drying in an oven so that the adhesive layer 36is about 1 mil or less in thickness.

Such release paper 37 coated with adhesive 36 is then laminated to theend leaf 23 and rolled so that the adhesive 36 sticks to the end leaf23. The fabrication of the end leaf 23, adhesive 36 and release paper 37is an adaptation of general commercial practice in the pressuresensitive adhesive art. In accordance with the present invention, in theform of the invention shown in FIG. 3, by pulling the release paper 37away from the adhesive 36 the adhesive 36 is exposed. When the frontcover 56 of the case 46 is closed, adhesive 36 causes the end leaf 23 toadhere to the inside of the cover, as subsequently explained, and thusthe case and cover are assembled.

The case 46 of the book is likewise subject to considerable variation.In the form shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, front and back covers 56 areconnected by an integral central spine cover 57. It will be understoodthat the front and back covers 56 are usually fabricated with boards 51of cardboard or similar material and that the top and bottom turnins 52and outer edge turnin 53 only partially cover the boards and that thecorners 54 are preferably mitered, in accordance with conventional casemanufacturingoperations. Thus, there is a hinge forming area 49 which isthin and flexible immediately toward the spine edge of the boards 51.This construction is shown partially in FIG. 3 but it is intentionallyomitted in FIG. 4 so as to avoid confusing detail. In the form of caseshown in FIG. 4, a resilient spine strip 48 is employed which ispressure sensitive on both surfaces and originally is provided withrelease paper (not shown) on its exposed surface, which release paper isstripped off prior to the assembly operation. Hinge creases 58 areformed immediately inward of covers 56 and beads 59 are formedimmediately inward of the hinge creases 58. Details of such constructionand the advantages thereof are shown in application Ser. No. 79,086 andapplication Ser. No. 146,648.

In assembling the uncased book 41 to case 46, the spine edge of theuncased book 41 is caused to adhere to the pressure sensitive resilientspine strip 48. As shown in FIG. 3, the front cover 56 (and the backcover as well), isunfinished in that the board 51 is shown merelycovered by the turned in top and bottom turnins 52 and edge turnin 53.The ultimate position of the end leaf 23 which conceals the board 51 isshown in dotand-dash lines in the inside of top cover 56.

After the spine of the uncased book is caused to adhere to the spinecover, the release paper 37 is removed, causing the adhesive 36 on theend leaf 23 to adhere to the inside of .the board 51 and the portions ofthe'turned in portions 52 and 53 within the dot-anddash lines. The endleaf 23 thus permanently adheres to the cover 56.

In the modification shown in FIGS. 1-4, as best shown in FIG. 2, endleaf 23 is formed with holes 22 adjacent its spine margin. Release paper37 is initially coated with pressure sensitive adhesive 36 whichterminates at longitudinal edge 64 adjacent but inward of holes 22. Acrease 63 is formed in release paper 37 coinciding with the inner edge64 of the pressure sensitive adhesive 36 and a layer of release paper 66overlying the release paper 37 extends in an outward extension 67 beyondthe inside edges of the end leaf 23, adhesive 36 and release paper 37.The completely fabricated end leaf is shown in FIGS. I and 2. Such anend leaf is attached to the uncased book. In the form shown in FIGS. 3and 4, the studs 27 pass through the holes 22 in the end leaf 23 in thesame manner as they pass through the holes 22 in the sheets 21. Afterthe spine of the uncased book 41 has adhered to the spine 57 of the case46, the covers 56 are closed and the extensions 67 project beyond theinside edges of the sheets 21 and front and back covers 56. Theseprojections 67 may be pulled simultaneously or serially causing therelease paper 37 to be gradually stripped back exposing the adhesive 36which immediately adheres to the inside of the boards 51 and to theportions of the turnins 52, 52, 53 which are inside the dot-and-dashlines of FIG. 3. Thus, the end leaves adhere to the case asv shown inFIG. 4.

In the modification of FIG. 5, end leaf 23a is formed in the same manneras end leaf 23 or in other constructions. Release paper 37a is initiallycompletely coated with pressure sensitive adhesive 36a. However, asecond piece of paper 68 is attached by inserting the edge of the paper68 overlying the spine margin of end leaf 23a before the pressuresensitive material 36a is laminated to end leaf 23a. Thus, the overlyingportion 68 is connected to release paper 37a inwardly of the line 64awhere the pressure sensitive material 36a ends on end leaf 23a. Theportion 68 is folded over at a crease (not shown) approximatelycoinciding with line 64a to overlie the release paper 37a, therebyexposing an uncoated edge of the end leaf 23a for binding purposes. Theportion 68 may be of extended width to provide an outward extensioncorresponding to extension 67.

In the modification of FIG. 6, which resembles that of FIG. 1, theoverlying release paper is formed in a tongue 66b having an extension67b, both of narrow height. Thus, the entire surface of release paper37b is not covered by the tongue 66b. The shape of tongue 66b is subjectto considerable variation from the curved shape shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternate means of binding the uncased book. Inthis form of the invention wire staples 71 of the type conventionallyused in inexpensive book construction are used to secure the sheets 21ctogether and also to secure the end leaf 230 to the sheets21c. Such anuncased book 41c is substituted for the uncased book 41 of FIG. 4. Inother respects, the attachment of the case (not shown) thereto issimilar to the preceding modifications. It will be noted that the endleaf 23c is provided with adhesive 36c and initially protected byrelease paper 37c which may be folded back at crease 630, in the samemanner as in FIG. 2, leaving a layer 660. I

In the modification of FIG. 7A, the structure is similar to FIG. 7except that narrow longitudinal strips of reinforcing material 72 ofcardboard or other suitable material are interposed over the outer edgesof the end leaves 23d before staples 71d are applied and the staplespassed through material 72 which may be cardboard, plastic or metal,with or without preformed holes through which staples 71d pass. Inaddition to preformed holes for staples, material 72 may be formed withdepressions to receive staples 71d so that the staples do not protrude.Use of reinforcement 72 lessens likelihood of the sheets 21d tearing outof. staples 71d. In the modification of FIG. 7B, a channel shapedreinforcement 73 of cardboard or other suitable material covers thespine edges of sheets 2le and 23e and also overlies the outer edges ofend leaves 23s. Staples 7l e thus pass through reinforcement 73 as wellas sheets 2le.

FIG. 8 illustrates a paperback book 41f formed by the so-called perfectbinding" method wherein the front and back outer sheets 76 and the spine77 are integral and the inside of the spine is glued to the spine edgesof the sheets 21f by adhesive 78 in accordance with the present art.Initially such a paperback book has an uneven edge 96 which must betrimmed at trim line 97. The outward extension 67f of outer releasepaper layer 66f is folded back at fold 98 until the book is cut at trimline 97 (see dotted lines in FIG. 8) and then restored to full lineposition;

FIG. 8A illustrates a modification wherein end leaves 23g are attachedby layers of pressure sensitive adhesive to the front and back covers76g of a paperback book 41g and the outside face of each end leaf 23 issimilar to that of one of the preceding modifications. Initially,adhesive 10] is protected by release paper 102. The latter is removedand adhesive 101 bonds end leaf 233 to cover 76 When release paper 37 isremoved, layer 36g is exposed to attach uncased book 41g to a case (notshown), as illustrated in FIG. 8B.

Alternatively, instead of pressure sensitive adhesive 101, an endleafsimilar to leaf 23 may be attached to cover 76 by conventionalbookmaking glue, thermosetting adhesives or the like. This modificationis not illustrated but its construction will readily occur to oneskilled in the art.

FIG. 9 shows the invention applied to conventional sewn book signatures81 consisting of folded large sheets forming individual pages 21h afterbeing trimmed on three sides. The outer signatures 81 may be connectedto a gauze spine strip 82 whichoverlies the spine marginal edges of theoutermost signatures in various ways. As shown, the inner edge 83 ofeach signature 81 is tipped with adhesive 87.'-Further, threads 84 sewthe longitudinal creases of the signatures 81 to each other and may alsosecure them to gauze 82. This is a conventional bookmaking construction.Adhesive 361: is applied to the outer face of end leaf 23h up to line64h and protected with release paper (not shown) as in previousmodifications. In the modifications shown in FIG. 9, adhesive 10!!! onthe inside of end leaf 23h attaches the latter to gauze 82 and theoutermost sheet 21!: of outermost signature 81. Alternatively, end leaf23h may be tipped with glue and bonded to the outermost signature bythread, with or without inner layer 101k of adhesive. In other respectsthe end leaves may have pressure-senstitive adhesive and be protectedinitially by release paper as in the preceding modifications.

FIG. 10 shows an end leaf wherein release paper 37j is substantially thesame dimension as end leaf 23j and is not folded back as in previousmodifications. To facilitate stripping the release paper a slit 38formed in the release paper slightly outward of the location of In themodification of FIG. 12, a narrow ribbon 61 of paper is placed on theunderside of adhesive-coated release paper 37m prior to laminating toend leaf 23m. After lamination, slit 38m is located to coincide with thespine side of ribbon 61. Ribbon 61 prevents adherence of adhesive coatedrelease paper 37m and end leaf 23m in an area outward of line 62 whichextends from top to bottom of paper 37m. In the use of this modificationit is relatively simple for the operator to peel back the release paper37m because there is a narrow area adjacent slit 38m where the releasepaper 37m is loose.

The form of the invention shown in FIG. 13 is a further modification inwhich release paper 37n is folded back so that the free surface ofribbon 61a is uppermost, making it even easier to peel off the end paper37n.

Directing attention to FIG. 14, the adhesive 36p is applied onlypartially over the width of release paper 37p but terminates in the line64p spaced inward from the lefthand margin of paper 23p. Whenreleasepaper 37p is peeled back, the edge 64p of adhesive 36p is spaced to theright of the left-hand margin of the end leaf 23p'a predetermineddistance.

The structures of FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 7A, 7B, 8, 8A, and 9-14 are in manyrespects similar to'the modification of FIGS. 1-4 and the same referencenumerals followed by the subscripts a, b, c, d, e,f, g, h, j, k, m, nand p, respectively, are used to designate corresponding parts in theseveral views.

What is claimed is:

1. An end leaf structure for a book comprising an end leaf dimensionedapproximately the same as the sheets of said book and having a spineedge and an outer edge, a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive coveringsubstantially the entire end leaf, said adhesive terminating at a lineparallel to and spaced inward of the spine edge of said end leaf, and arelease paper protecting said adhesive and covering all of saidadhesive, said release paper folded at about said line of said adhesiveto define an underneath layercovering said adhesive and terminating atsaid outer edge and a toplayer extending outward beyond said outer edgeof said end leaf to provide a tab to pull said release paper away fromsaid adhesive, the portion of said end leaf between said line and saidspine edge comprising attachment means for attachment of said leaf to anuncased book.

2. An end leaf according to claim 1 which further comprises a secondlayer of pressure-sensitive adhesive on the side of said end leafopposite said firstmentioned layer and second release paper protectingsaid second layer, said second release paper removable for attachment ofsaid end leaf to the outer surface of an uncased book by means of saidsecond layer.

3. An end leaf structure according to claim 1 in which said tab isnarrower than said end leaf.

4. An end leaf structure according to claim 1 in which said releasepaper comprises two separate parts, an underneath part initiallydimensioned the same as said end leaf and atop part having an inner edgealong said line and having second adhesive adhering said top part to theportion of said underneath adhering part which extends from said line tosaid spine edge, said underneath part being folded at said line withsaid top portion extending overlying said underneath part to form anoutward extension beyond said outer edge.

5. In combination, an end leaf according to claim 1,

, an uncased book and binding means cooperable with said attachment meanfor binding said end leaf to said uncased book.

6. In combination, an end leaf according to claim 1, an uncasedpaperbound" book having integral front, back, and spine covers, sheets,and second adhesive attaching the spine edges and which furthercomprises third adhesive on the side of said end leaf opposite saidfirst-mentioned adhesive attaching said end leaf to the outside of saidfront cover.

7. The combination of claim 6 in which said binding means comprises aplurality of metal staples.

8. The combination of claim 7 which further comprises a reinforcementunderlying said staples.

9. The combination of claim 8 in which said reinforcement covers thespine edge of said uncased book and both edges of said book adjacent thespine edge thereof.

10. An end leaf structure according to claim 1 in which said releasepaper comprises two separate parts, an underneath part initiallydimensioned the same as said end leaf and a ribbon having an inner edgealong said line and having second adhesive adhering said ribbon to theportion of said underneath part which extends from said line to saidspine edge, said underneath part being folded at said line, said ribbonforming said tab.

11. An end leaf according to claim 10 in which said release paper isfolded over at the inner edge of said ribbon, said ribbon being exposed.

' l i i

1. An end leaf structure for a book comprising an end leaf dimensionedapproximately the same as the sheets of said book and having a spineedge and an outer edge, a layer of pressuresensitive adhesive coveringsubstantially the entire end leaf, said adhesive terminating at a lineparallel to and spaced inward of the spine edge of said end leaf, and arelease paper protecting said adhesive and covering all of saidadhesive, said release paper folded at about said line of said adhesiveto define an underneath layer covering said adhesive and terminating atsaid outer edge and a top layer extending outward beyond said outer edgeof said end leaf to provide a tab to pull said release paper away fromsaid adhesive, the portion of said end leaf between said line and saidspine edge comprising attachment means for attachment of said leaf to anuncased book.
 2. An end leaf according to claim 1 which furthercomprises a second layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive on the side ofsaid end leaf opposite said first-mentioned layer and second releasepaper protecting said second layer, said second release paper removablefor attachment of said end leaf to the outer surface of an uncased bookby means of said second layer.
 3. An end leaf structure according toclaim 1 in which said tab is narrower than said end leaf.
 4. An end leafstructure according to claim 1 in which said release paper comprises twoseparate parts, an underneath part initially dimensioned the same assaid end leaf and a top part having an inner edge along said line andhaving second adhesive adhering said top part to the portion of saidunderneath adhering part which extends from said line to said spineedge, said underneath part being folded at said line with said topportion extending overlying said underneath part to form an outwardextension beyond said outer edge.
 5. In combination, an end leafaccording to claim 1, an uncased book and binding means cooperable withsaid attachment mean for binding said end leaf to said uncased book. 6.In combination, an end leaf according to claim 1, an uncased''''paperbound'''' book having integral front, back, and spine covers,sheets, and second adhesive attaching the spine edges and which furthercomprises third adhesive on the side of said end leaf opposite saidfirst-mentioned adhesive attaching said end leaf to The outside of saidfront cover.
 7. The combination of claim 6 in which said binding meanscomprises a plurality of metal staples.
 8. The combination of claim 7which further comprises a reinforcement underlying said staples.
 9. Thecombination of claim 8 in which said reinforcement covers the spine edgeof said uncased book and both edges of said book adjacent the spine edgethereof.
 10. An end leaf structure according to claim 1 in which saidrelease paper comprises two separate parts, an underneath part initiallydimensioned the same as said end leaf and a ribbon having an inner edgealong said line and having second adhesive adhering said ribbon to theportion of said underneath part which extends from said line to saidspine edge, said underneath part being folded at said line, said ribbonforming said tab.
 11. An end leaf according to claim 10 in which saidrelease paper is folded over at the inner edge of said ribbon, saidribbon being exposed.